Last Thursday, Wal-Mart filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to block Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) protesters from picketing outside of stores on Black Friday.
Walmart claims that OUR Walmart actions planned for Friday are part of continuing protests by United Food and Commercial Workers Union (U.F.C.W) and would be illegal under the National Labor Relations Act since the protesters have exceeded the maximum 30 days of permitted picketing. OUR Walmart was considered a subsidiary of the U.F.C.W. as of 2011. Yet, Jill Cashen, Communications Director for the U.F.C.W, insists that OUR Walmart has “grown and gained independence” and since then has become their own group.
Since the labor board often takes months to review and rule on complaints, it is unlikely that Walmart will receive an injunction by Friday. However, according to Angela B. Cornell, Director of the Labor Law Clinic at Cornell Law School, this recent measure is likely meant to be a warning against those employees considering action in what Walmart insists is “illegal picketing”.
In response to the action, Cashen has said, “Walmart is grasping at straws . . . there’s nothing in the law that gives an employer the right to silence workers and citizens.” William B. Gould IV, former chairman of the labor board under the Clinton administration remarked in the New York Times “I don’t see this translating into a great deal of success in terms of unionizing Wal-Mart or in terms of being particularly effective in improving conditions. But I must say if [Wal-Mart has] gone to the N.L.R.B. on this, that must show that Wal-Mart is really concerned.”
OUR Walmart is trying to recruit a wide variety of allies for the action. They are working with religious leaders about holding prayers vigils at Wal-Mart locations in support of better worker treatment and are preparing fliers that community and civil rights groups can use to publicize the event.
Last month, Walmart employees in 12 states walked off the job in protest of working conditions and wages. Additionally, current employees of Walmart stores in Tennessee, California, and Texas have filed class-action lawsuits against the corporation on the basis of sex discrimination.
Media Resources: NY Times 11/18/12; Fox Business 11/16/12; Feminist Newswire 10/10/12, 10/03/12, 09/25/12, 02/21/12
Photo available under creative commons license via Flickr user Neon Tommy.
1 comment
Randal Coon says:
Nov 25, 2012
I buy most of everything I buy, with a few exceptions, at the Walmart Super center, because I enjoy the setup at the store, and the fact that it carries most of the things I need. Also, it has good sales AT TIMES.
BUT: having seen the paltry working conditions of workers at Walmart, primarily related to Walmart wages upsets me. I ma told that it would cost me about $18/year to increase the base wage from about $16,000 to $25,000 for all Walmart’s–thus allowing them to stop having to supplement their wages from tax supported assistance. And if it takes another $15/year to comply with the AFCA, I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY THAT VERY SMALL AMOUNT. Thus, the Waltons would not even lose any of their billions to treat their workers decently.
IF the WALTONS do not choose to either share a bit of their wealth to treat their employees decently, allowing them to approach middle class wages, if BOTH spouses, if they are married, or raise the prices by $25-30/year I would be willing to change my habits. Kroger and Brookshire’s are both just as close to me and I would be more than willing to shop at those stores which DO pay somewhat more livable wages to their employees, as well as the legal health benefits.
AND understand that I am not a wealthy person. I am no doubt within the “47%”. But the 47% is beginning, FINALLY, to understand what it will take to raise our country back to the middle class we once had.
This letter outlines VERY MILD actions I am willing to take, and describes the minimum of changes that Americans in my situation are willing to take to regain our livable economy. IT IS NOT just tax relief to the wealthy that is needed. In fact, that is definitely NOT what is needed. And you know it.
Your addition to the National deficit with China is also appalling. That must also change, and we know that will have to be more gradual, as those who are paid less than livable wages must depend on that for a time. BUT NOT FOREVER.
As of now, I am just a consumer who supports your wealth. But if changes are not made and publicly advertised–you are good at big change announcements at your store. If they are not forthcoming, you may go the way of T.G.& Y.
Randal L Coon